Production banner 20th Century Fox has been developing the adaptation of Margot Lee Shetterly’s book “Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race”, reports variety.com.

Director Ted Melfi is in talks to helm the project.

The story centres on Johnson, a brilliant African-American mathematician who, along with her colleagues Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson, served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in the US history – the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, and his safe return.

The three women crossed all gender, race and professional lines while embarking on the mission.